Black State Senator Helps Win Share Of Revenues For Illinois' Poor As Senate Approves Casino Gambling In Cook County

Jet, June 14, 1999

The Illinois Senate has approved casino gambling in Cook County (IL) and the likely location for a new riverboat is in Rosemont--just minutes from O'Hare Airport, the world's second-busiest airport.

In finalizing the legislation, Senate Minority Leader Emil Jones (D-Chicago) struck a deal that will put $30 million into an economic development grant program for poor communities throughout the state.

He had initially blocked the proposal because it did not allocate any casino revenue to benefit poor communities.

Jones also won passage of a nonbinding resolution urging a study of minority and female ownership among all 10 state riverboats.

No other major U.S. airport will have a casino so close, although at airports in Las Vegas and Reno, NV, gamblers can play at slot machines right there in the terminals.

The gambling bill will also reopen the Arlington (IL) International Race-course next spring and allow 24-hour gambling at state riverboats.

The bill also stipulates that Cook County criminal justice programs will receive two percent of casino revenue.

The Senate voted 31-27 on the bill that had already been passed by the House.

Gov. Ryan is expected to sign the measure into law.